In contrast, the COVID-19 pandemic has largely been a story of failure. The pandemic revealed tremendous gaps in many countries’ preparedness and response systems, including the United States’. But this does not mean that effective preparedness and response are out of reach. COVID-19 offers reason for hope in countries that have had successful responses that should also be recognized. Senegal, which still has significant preparedness gaps, used their years of outbreak response—particularly their experience with Ebola—along with data-driven policies and strong leadership to manage a highly effective response. And Senegal is not alone; countries such as Vietnam and Mongolia have, despite limited resources, mounted effective responses and kept COVID-19 under greater control than much of the rest of the world. Both have seen some of the lowest infection and death rates in the world.

The bottom line is many countries have demonstrated what works: strong preparedness systems coupled with decisive responses. When countries can prepare and respond appropriately, even if not perfectly, their communities, neighbors and the world are safer for it.